ICYMI: Marietta Mom Sentenced for Heroin Possession, Reckless Driving

A Marietta woman who was found to have heroin in her purse after a serious single-vehicle accident in 2013 has been given a prison sentence, the Cobb County District Attorney’s Office announced Friday.

Andrea Nicole Bolton, 32, was behind the wheel of a black Chevrolet C1500 which left South Cobb Drive near Barclay Circle, hit three utility poles, and flipped over on April 1, 2013. In the car at the time was Bolton’s six year old daughter. Another passenger was entrapped and injured in the vehicle and had to be extricated. Authorities investigating the accident discovered heroin and syringes in her bag, but Bolton said they did not belong to her.

Bolton was charged with possession of heroin, two counts of serious injury by vehicle, DUI, reckless driving, and endangering a child. Prosecutors say that Bolton rejected a pre-trial plea deal that would have given Bolton probation and treatment.

On Wednesday, a Cobb County jury convicted Bolton of heroin possession, one count of serious injury by vehicle, and reckless driving. On Friday, Cobb Superior Court Chief Judge Stephen Schuster sentenced Bolton to serve three years in prison and seven on probation, and ordered Bolton to complete a mandatory drug treatment program.

“This is the type of case where accountability comes in big time,” ADA Theresa Schiefer said during sentencing Friday morning. “This is one of the most dangerous types of addicts – someone who won’t admit they have a problem. It seems the crash would have been a wake-up call. Now it’s two years later, we’ve continued to have dirty drug screens, and I continue to hear denial.”